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INTERVIEW utilizing the same security protocols, etc.” To that end, she says, “We are in the process of upgrading our core infrastruc- ture, baselining all of? ces in terms of of? ce infrastructure hardware and are in the process of completing a migration to

Of? ce 365. We are also in the process of identifying the steps we need to take to better leverage social media and how we should manage this.”

It’s a delicate balancing act, and it is a work in progress, says Sherman. For example, the various worldwide of? ces no longer need to wait for day-to-day business decisions to be made from headquarters; however, how IRI communicates news is still typically managed from headquarters. She adds, “Because of this, we do not yet have all the parts in place to leverage something like Twitter, but we do utilize platforms like LinkedIn to publish our press releases.”

WISTA & the Waterfront

In her previous role as a Director of Communications for an estate planning law ? rm, Sherman was not typically engaged

The maritime industry is very with the press or the internal communications within the or- ganization. At a global maritime concern like IRI, however, dynamic and an international that’s all changed. Sherman insists, “The shipping industry is business in the truest sense. After very personal and face-to-face contact is important to devel- oping relationships.” Indeed, and within IRI Registries itself, nearly 15 years with IRI, I can

Sherman interacts on a daily basis with myriad nationalities in honestly say that I have always terms of crew, of? cers and ship managers. As far as she is con- cerned, that reality also makes her job a little easier. “We are been interested in my work and fortunate to have 27 worldwide of? ces located in major ship- ping and ? nancial centers worldwide. We are able to leverage in fact, I am constantly engaged the close relationships personnel in these of? ces have for our and challenged by this industry communication needs, including translating press releases, ar- ticles or marketing collateral.” on a daily basis. Even though the

By her own reckoning, one of the things Sherman is very maritime industry is an international good at is connecting the dots and recognizing when things are related and how things may be impacted. That goes for IRI business, it is a surprisingly small business, as well as her outreach outside of the Registry. A big part of that outreach involves WISTA – the Women’s Inter- community and those that I have national Shipping & Trading Association. Sherman has been met are truly remarkable people.

a member since 2004, and recounts the bene? ts that WISTA brings, especially in contrast to her early days on the water- front. “I recall being at a number of shipping events and feeling uncomfortable because not only was I new to a very interest- ing and dynamic industry, but I was one of the few women at those early events that I attended. I found the WISTA network provided an ice breaker during these situations. Once you speak with one person, you suddenly are connected to another ten.” She adds, “Looking back, I can say that there have been a number of women in the industry that have informally men- tored me over the years and provided valuable advice. There 18 Maritime Logistics Professional 3Q 2016| | 18-33 Q3 MP2016.indd 18 8/17/2016 11:30:20 AM